Ricky Glenn Explained

Ricky Glenn
Other Names:The Gladiator
Birth Date:12 April 1989
Birth Place:Marshalltown, Iowa, United States[1]
Fighting Out Of:Des Moines, Iowa, United States[2]
Weight Lb:155
Weight Class:Lightweight
Featherweight
Reach In:70
Style:Wrestling, Boxing, BJJ
Rank:Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3]
Team:Roufusport (2010–2017)[4]
Team Alpha Male (2017–2019)[5]
Pura Vida[6]
360 BJJ[7]
Absolute MMA and Fitness (2019–present)[8]
Trainer:Duke Roufus (formerly)[9]
Years Active:2006–present
Mma Kowin:13
Mma Subwin:3
Mma Decwin:6
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Subloss:2
Mma Decloss:5
Mma Draw:2
Sherdog:20171

Ricky Glenn (born April 12, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the UFC. A professional since 2006, he is the former World Series of Fighting Featherweight Champion.

Background

Glenn was born in Marshalltown, Iowa. Growing up he had an interest in BMX biking but the interest in fighting outweighed biking since he was young.[10] He did a year of wrestling at Marshalltown High School[11] and started training boxing when he was fourteen. When his local boxing gym closed down, he travelled 90 minutes each trip to another gym to get his boxing practice. He later transitioned to MMA training at a friend's basement and switch to his uncle's garage.[9]

When Glenn was seventeen, still a high school student and with one year wrestling, some boxing experience and self-taught MMA skills,[10] he was asked to fight on a short notice for a local promotion. Still in his work uniform, Glenn left his work at a local Staples shift early in Marshalltown, rushing out to the venue, in time for a few stretches, and stepped in the cage 5 minutes later, winning his first fight.[12] This win set of his MMA career where he put it “He was a tough guy, but I cut him up really good. I was shocked, I mean, I was fighting for my life in there. I was fighting grown men when I was in high school, and that first win meant everything.”[7]

After high school, Glenn moved to Cedar Rapids and attended a community college, majoring in physical therapy. He joined an MMA gym under Duke Roufus' guidance where his training partner was Erik Kock and Ben Askren.[9]

Glenn fought 17 amateur fights in a short period with record of 15–1–1 and he would go on to fight 21 times professionally, losing only 3 bouts, and 97% of his wins have been by way of knockout, submission, or TKO prior signed by UFC.[13] He moved to Milwaukee and left his employment at Costco to train full-time.[14] [10]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Glenn fought most of the fights in regional Midwest of American. He was the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) featherweight champion and Midwest Cage Fight featherweight champion. Glenn amassed a record of 18–3–1 prior signed by UFC. In his past 17 bouts, Glenn's only loss was to WSOF featherweight champion Lance Palmer, and he held notable victories over Johnny Case and Georgi Karakhanyan.[13]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Glenn made his promotion debut on September 17, 2016 at against Evan Dunham in Texas. He moved up to lightweight for this fight bout replacing injured Abel Trujillo on 12 days notice.[15] [16] He was bested by Dunham via unanimous decision and this unsuccessful debut snapped a three-fight winning streak since losing his WSOF title to Lance Palmer in 2014.[17]

He next faced Phillipe Nover on February 11, 2017 at UFC 208.[18] [19] He outpointed Nover and win via split decision (27-30, 29–28, 29-28).[20] [21]

Glenn faced Gavin Tucker on October 9, 2017 at UFC 215.[22] [23] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[24] Tucker suffered four broken bones on his face during the one-sided beating from Glenn and many criticized the referee, Kyle Cardinal,[25] for not stopping the fight.[26] [27]

Glenn faced Myles Jury on December 30, 2017 at UFC 219.[28] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[29]

Glenn faced Dennis Bermudez on July 14, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 133.[30] He won the fight via split decision.[31]

Glenn was scheduled to face Arnold Allen on November 30, 2018 at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale.[32] However, Allen pulled out of the fight on November 16 citing a cut he received while training,[33] and he was replaced by Kevin Aguilar.[34] At the weigh-ins, Glenn weighed in at 148.5 pounds, 2.5 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit of 146. He was fined 20 percent of their purse, which went to his opponent Kevin Aguilar. The bout proceeded at catchweight.[35] Glenn lost the fight via unanimous decision.[36]

Move up to Lightweight

Glenn was scheduled to face Carlton Minus on December 19, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 183.[37] However during fight week, it was announced that Glenn had to be pulled out of the bout.[38]

Glenn faced Joaquim Silva on June 19, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 25.[39] He won the bout via knockout just 37 seconds into the first round.[40] The fight marked the last of his prevailing contract, and he subsequently signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.[41]

Glenn faced Grant Dawson on October 23, 2021 at .[42] The fight ended in majority draw.[43] 8 out of 11 media outlets scored the bout for Dawson.[44]

Glenn was scheduled to face Drew Dober on March 12, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203.[45] However, a week before the event, Glenn withdrew due to a torn groin and was replaced by Terrance McKinney.[46]

Glenn faced Christos Giagos on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222.[47] He lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.[48]

Glenn faced Drew Dober on October 7, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 229.[49] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[50]

Move up to Welterweight

Glenn faced Song Kenan in a welterweight bout on August 17, 2024 at UFC 305.[51] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[52]

Personal life

Glenn's moniker "The Gladiator" was given to him by his uncle for his killer instinct demeanour inside the boxing ring.[9]

Glenn and his wife Jenny have a son.[53]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|22–9–2|Song Kenan|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 305 | |align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Perth, Australia||-|Loss|align=center||Drew Dober|TKO (punches)|||align=center|1|align=center|2:36|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ||-|Loss|align=center|22–7–2|Christos Giagos|KO (punch)|| |align=center|1|align=center|1:35|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Draw|align=center|22–6–2|Grant Dawson|Draw (majority)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|22–6–1|Joaquim Silva|KO (punches)|||align=center|1|align=center|0:37|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|21–6–1|Kevin Aguilar|Decision (unanimous)|The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|21–5–1|Dennis Bermudez|Decision (split)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Boise, Idaho, United States||-|Loss|align=center|20–5–1|Myles Jury|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 219||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win| align=center| 20–4–1|Gavin Tucker|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 215 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Edmonton, Alberta, Canada||-| Win| align=center| 19–4–1| Phillipe Nover| Decision (split)| UFC 208| | align=center|3| align=center| 5:00| Brooklyn, New York, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 18–4–1| Evan Dunham| Decision (unanimous)| | | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Hidalgo, Texas, United States||-| Win| align=center| 18–3–1| Ramiro Hernandez| Decision (split)| Victory Fighting Championship 51| | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Urbandale, Iowa, United States||-| Win| align=center| 17–3–1| Chris Manuel| TKO (body punches)| Pure Fighting Championship 3| | align=center|3| align=center| 2:03| Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States||-| Win| align=center| 16–3–1| Adam Ward| KO (punches)| WSOF 24| | align=center|2| align=center| 1:27| Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 15–3–1| Lance Palmer| Submission (rear-naked choke)| WSOF 16| | align=center| 3| align=center| 3:09| Sacramento, California, United States||-| Win| align=center| 15–2–1| Georgi Karakhanyan| TKO (retirement)| WSOF 10| | align=center|2 | align=center| 5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win| align=center| 14–2–1| Artur Rofi| Decision (unanimous)| WSOF 5| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States||-| Win| align=center| 13–2–1| Alexandre Pimentel| KO (punches)| WSOF 2| | align=center| 3| align=center| 1:51| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States||-| Win| align=center| 12–2–1| Lyndon Whitlock| TKO (knees to the body and punches)| Score Fighting Series 6| | align=center| 3| align=center| 2:34| Sarnia, Ontario, Canada||-| Win| align=center| 11–2–1| Tristan Johnson| TKO (punches)| Score Fighting Series 5| | align=center| 2| align=center| 4:26| Hamilton, Ontario, Canada||-| Win| align=center| | Charon Spain| TKO (elbow and punches)| North American FC: Colosseum| | align=center| 2| align=center| 0:29| Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States||-| Win| align=center| 9–2–1| Jose Pacheco| Decision (unanimous)| North American FC: Unleashed| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States||-| Win| align=center| 8–2–1| Gustavo Rodriguez| TKO (punches)| KOTC: Interference| | align=center| 2| align=center| 1:46| Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States||-| Draw| align=center| 7–2–1| Ryan Roberts| Draw| Midwest Cage Fight 35| | align=center| 5| align=center| 5:00| Des Moines, Iowa, United States||-| Win| align=center| 7–2| Josh Henry| Submission (triangle choke)| Midwest Cage Fight 32| | align=center| 1| align=center| 3:41| Des Moines, Iowa, United States||-| Win| align=center| 6–2| Josh Henry| Submission (armbar)| Midwest Cage Fight 31| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:32| Des Moines, Iowa, United States||-| Win| align=center| 5–2| Johnny Case| TKO (punches)| Midwest Cage Fight 29| | align=center| 1| align=center| 4:07| Des Moines, Iowa, United States||-| Win| align=center| 4–2| Colby Karadios| TKO (punches)| Midwest Cage Fight 27| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:49| Des Moines, Iowa, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 3–2| Lonnie Scriven| Decision (split)| Midwest Cage Fight 25| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Des Moines, Iowa, United States||-| Win| align=center| 3–1| Joe Morris| Submission (triangle choke)| Midwest Cage Fight 24| | align=center| 1| align=center| 4:57| Des Moines, Iowa, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 2–1| Jimmy Seipel| Submission (armbar)| Victory FC 28| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:31| Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States||-| Win| align=center| 2–0| Ted Reynolds| TKO (punches)| War Party Cage Fighting 4| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:56| Marshalltown, Iowa, United States||-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Bob Morgan| TKO (submission to punches)| War Party Cage Fighting 3| | align=center| 2| align=center| 2:25| Marshalltown, Iowa, United States||-[54]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ricky Glenn UFC. UFC.com. October 25, 2021.
  2. Web site: Rick Glenn Missed The Bright Lights. December 15, 2020. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Thomas Gerbasi.
  3. CYLAdxAMkPr. "(...) What an Honor! Received my Black Belt from @360bjj !!! Thank you Scott! (...)". gladiatormma. January 1, 2022. October 21, 2023.
  4. Web site: Rick Glenn MMA. October 30, 2020. rickglennmma.com.
  5. Web site: Team Alpha Male's Rick Glenn happy with sunny California, high-level training partners his size. December 22, 2017. MMAjunkie.com.
  6. Web site: Rick Glenn. August 2, 2017. Tapology. August 2, 2017.
  7. News: Rick Glenn: A Fighter on the Verge News Victory Fighter. Victory Fighter. 2017-08-02. en.
  8. Episode 252: Alex Morono, Rick Glenn and UFC Vegas 17. December 16, 2020. Daniel Vreeland.
  9. News: The Beaten Path: Prospect Rick Glenn Goes from Iowa Farm Town to World Series. Harris. Scott. Bleacher Report. 2017-08-02. en-US.
  10. News: Fight Path: WSOF 5's Rick Glenn committed to MMA as 17-year-old Staples employee. 2013-08-30. MMAjunkie. 2017-08-02. en-US.
  11. http://rickglennmma.com/about.html
  12. News: Fight Path: WSOF 5'S Rick Glenn Committed To MMA As 17-Year-Old Staples Employee. 2013-08-30. Professional Fighters League. 2017-08-02. en-US.
  13. Web site: Rick. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2017-08-02.
  14. News: UFC's Glenn says leaving Costco job was 'pretty difficult'. Bloody Elbow. 2017-08-02.
  15. Web site: UFC 208 Prelim Breakout Star: Rick Glenn MMA Manifesto. thesportsdaily.com. 9 February 2017. en. 2017-08-02.
  16. News: Evan Dunham gets new opponent at UFN 94. MMA Fighting. 2017-08-02.
  17. News: UFC Fight Night 94 results: Evan Dunham tops Rick Glenn by decision in entertaining brawl. 2016-09-18. MMAjunkie. 2017-08-02. en-US.
  18. News: Brooklyn's Phillipe Nover set to fight Rick Glenn at UFC 208. MMA Fighting. 2017-08-02.
  19. News: Brooklyn's own Phillipe Nover booked for UFC 208 home fight vs. Rick Glenn. 2016-12-28. MMAjunkie. 2017-08-02. en-US.
  20. News: UFC 208 results: De Randamie beats Holm for first women's featherweight title. Los Angeles Times. 2017-08-02. en-US. 0458-3035.
  21. News: Brooklyn's Nover defeated at UFC 208. Newsday. 2017-08-02.
  22. News: UFC 215 gets first fight: Gavin Tucker meets Rick Glenn in Edmonton. 2017-05-25. MMAjunkie. 2017-08-02. en-US.
  23. Web site: Halifax's rising UFC star Gavin Tucker returns to the cage with Edmonton fight. 2017-05-25. The Chronicle Herald. en. 2017-08-02.
  24. News: UFC 215 results: Rick Glenn overwhelms Gavin Tucker, who earns no mercy from referee. 2017-09-10. MMAjunkie. 2017-09-10. en-US.
  25. Web site: Gavin Tucker. Tapology. September 12, 2017.
  26. Web site: Despite many being upset with ref in Gavin Tucker vs Rick Glenn bout, Tucker says 'stop blaming the ref'. Russell. Ess. BJ Penn.com. 11 September 2017. September 11, 2017.
  27. News: Tucker: Ref 'should sleep easy' after UFC 215. Bloody Elbow. 2017-09-12.
  28. News: Myles Jury to fight Rick Glenn at UFC 219 in Las Vegas. 2017-10-11. Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2017-10-12. en-US.
  29. News: UFC 219 results: Myles Jury cruises to win over Rick Glenn. MMA Fighting. 2017-12-31.
  30. Web site: Dennis Bermudez to face Rick Glenn at UFC Fight Night in Boise, Idaho. newsday.com. Mark La Monica. 2018-05-18. 2018-05-18.
  31. News: UFC Fight Night 133 results: Rick Glenn survives Dennis Bermudez's takedowns for split call. 2018-07-15. MMAjunkie. 2018-07-15. en-US.
  32. Web site: Rick Glenn steps in for injured Gilbert Melendez, fights Arnold Allen at TUF 28 Finale. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2018-11-05. 2018-11-05.
  33. Web site: Arnold Allen injured, out of TUF 28 Finale bout against Rick Glenn. sherdog.com. Jay Pettry. 2018-11-16. 2018-11-16.
  34. Web site: LFA Kampioen Kevin Aguilar pakt short notice gevecht tegen Rick Glenn tijdens de TUF 28 Finale. DNA. MMA. mmadna.nl. 17 November 2018. en-US. 2018-11-18.
  35. News: TUF 28 Finale weigh-in results: Dos Anjos vs. Usman set, but two miss. 2018-11-29. MMAjunkie. 2018-11-30. en-US.
  36. News: TUF 28 Finale results: Kevin Aguilar batters a gutsy Rick Glenn in bloody battle. 2018-12-01. MMAjunkie. 2018-12-01. en-US.
  37. Web site: 2020-10-24. Rick Glenn returns from 25-month layoff, fights Carlton Minus at UFC event on Dec. 19. 2020-10-24. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  38. Web site: 2020-12-17. Rick Glenn vs. Carlton Minus scratched from UFC Vegas 17. 2020-12-17. MMA Fighting. en-US.
  39. Web site: Heck. Mike. 2021-04-03. Rick Glenn vs. Joaquim Silva added to UFC event on June 19. 2021-04-03. MMA Fighting. en.
  40. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2021-06-19. UFC Vegas 29 Results: Now going by Ricky Glenn, ex-WSOF Champ Starches Joaquim Silva. 2021-06-20. Cageside Press. en-US.
  41. What the Heck: Ovince Saint Preux, Rick Glenn, Shaun Al-Shatti and Talita Alencar - MMA Fighting. June 22, 2021. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck. YouTube.
  42. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2021-09-25. BREAKING: Ricky Glenn vervangt Carlos Diego Ferreira op 23 oktober tegen Grant Dawson. 2021-09-26. MMA DNA. en-US.
  43. Web site: Law. Eddie. 2021-10-23. UFC Vegas 41 Results: Grant Dawson and Ricky Glenn Fight To A Draw. 2021-10-23. Cageside Press. en-US.
  44. Web site: MMA Decisions - Grant Dawson vs Ricky Glenn. mmadecisions.com. MMA Decisions. 2021-10-23. 2024-08-18.
  45. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2022-01-05. UFC: Ricky Glenn vs. Drew Dober Set for March 12 Fight Night. 2021-01-05. Cageside Press. en-US.
  46. Web site: UFC adds Drew Dober vs. Ricky Glenn to March 12 event. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2022-03-04. 2022-03-04.
  47. Web site: Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Feb. 6-12). MMA Junkie. Nolan King. 2023-02-13. 2023-02-13.
  48. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2023-04-22 . UFC Vegas 71: Heavy-Handed Christos Giagos Puts Down Rick Glenn Early . 2023-04-24 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  49. Web site: 2023-07-28 . Drew Dober vs. Ricky Glenn set for UFC Fight Night event on Oct. 7 . 2023-07-29 . MMA Fighting . en-US.
  50. Web site: McKinley . Charlotte . 2023-10-07 . Drew Dober Marks First Win as a Father at UFC Vegas 80 against Ricky Glenn . 2023-10-08 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  51. Web site: Morning Report: Paddy Pimblett says UFC 304 will be last fight on contract, open to boxing 'stupid YouTubers' - Fight Announcements. Drake Riggs. mmafighting.com. 2024-07-12. 2024-07-12.
  52. Web site: UFC 305: Song Kenan Returns to Win Column, Defeats Ricky Glenn. cagesidepress.com. Bryson Hester. 2024-08-17. 2024-08-18.
  53. Web site: Ricky Glenn Levels Up For Octagon Return. Thomas Gerbasi. June 17, 2021. Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  54. Web site: Rick. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2018-04-15.